The 1st District of Vienna, Austria is not only the center of Vienna, but also the political, cultural and religious center of Austria. It has a permanent resident population of about 18,000 and covers an area of 2.88 square kilometers. The district is a place where the most important national government institutions and religious and cultural facilities of Austria are located and an important hub for operators in business, tourism and education. With Heldenplatz as the center, important departments and international organizations, such as the Office of the Federal President, the Federal Chancellery, and the ministries of foreign affairs, education and culture of Austria, are all based in the 1st District of Vienna.
Shapingba District and the 1st District of Vienna established the sister city friendship in September 2004.
Exchanges between Shapingba District and 1st District of Vienna
The 1st District of Vienna, Austria is located in the center of the world's capital of music and culture, with profound cultural deposits. Its positioning as a district of culture and education is in line with that of Shapingba District, so the two sides have enhanced mutual understanding and friendship through the promotion of friendly exchanges.
In 2003, a delegation from the Federal Council of Austria visited Shapingba District and presented a statue of the famous musician Mozart to the representative of the latter. In 2004, the Chinese People's Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries officially approved the establishment of the friendship between the two districts. In 2005, the leaders of both sides signed a twinning agreement, and since then, the two sides have carried out exchanges in many fields.
Cultural exchanges In 2005, Yang Changxue, Executive Vice Mayor of the Shapingba district government, led a cultural delegation to Austria to participate in a Chinese New Year celebration event, where the delegation, commissioned by the Austria-China Friendship Association, gave a special performance for Austria's Prime Minister. In 2006, the Shapingba district government invited Austria's Vienna Festival Symphony Orchestra to participate in the 2006 "Nordic Spring Dawn" Concert in Shapingba and New Year's Eve Party; meanwhile, a performance team from a dance school in Shapingba District participated in the closing ceremony of the Chinese New Year event held in Austria, where they presented a special performance. In 2007, the 1st District of Vienna, Austria, held a special New Year Concert in Shapingba District. In 2011, the brass band of Shapingba Primary School became the only band of this kind in Chongqing invited to participate in the "China Meets Austria" Arts Festival, and 38 primary school students played three wind music works in Vienna's Golden Concert Hall. In 2012, the Austrian delegation was headed by the Managing Director of ROBO Technologies Ltd.&Co KG Otmar Volgger visited Chongqing to discuss the Sissi Theme Park Project. In 2014, the choir of Fengmingshan Middle School in the Shapingba District went to Vienna's Golden Concert Hall to participate in the 5th World Peace Chorus Festival. In 2016, Shapingba District invited the Sound of Vienna Symphony Orchestra to give a special performance at the 2017 New Year Concert in Shapingba District. In 2017, Shapingba District invited the Vienna Classical Symphony Orchestra to stage a special performance at the 2018 New Year Concert in Shapingba District.
In 2013, Zheng Wenxian, Member of the Standing Committee of the CPC Shapingba District Committee and Director of the Organization Department led a delegation of six people to visit Vienna, Austria for a cultural and talent exchange.
In 2015, Deputy Director of the Standing Committee of the People's Congress of Shapingba District Xiang Hong led a delegation of six people to visit Vienna, Austria for a friendly cultural exchange.
Educational Exchange: In 2007, a delegation from the People's Congress of Shapingba District visited the 1st District of Vienna and signed an agreement on bilateral cooperation in education, economy and culture. In 2008, a delegation of educational staff and artists from Shapingba District went to Vienna, Austria for training and further study. The 1st District of Vienna, Austria organized a performance group of Austrian teenagers to stage a friendly performance in Shapingba District.